Tanzania Police Unearth Bomb-Making Materials

Published January 7th, 2001 - 02:00 GMT

Tanzanian Police have unearthed materials used in making bombs, including high explosive electric detonators, cables and batteries buried on Pemba isl

Tanzanian Police have unearthed materials used in making bombs, including high explosive electric detonators, cables and batteries buried on Pemba island, police spokesman Adam Mwamunyange said in a statement released on Saturday.

Mwamunyange said the unearthed materials were 112 high explosive electric detonators, 112 cables, explosives and batteries.

"Acting on a tip off, police detectives who were in Pemba on a special operation on Friday, ordered excavation of Kengeja area and dug out the materials believed to be used in assembling bombs.

"..Experts from the army (Tanzania People's Defence Forces) were called for assistance in identifying the dug-out items," Mwamunyange said.

Inspector General of Police Omar Mahita has offered a 1,250-dollar prize to the person who assisted police with the information that enabled them unearth the materials.

A series of bomb attacks on various government buildings and facilities in Tanzania's semi-autonomous twin-Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar and Pemba began shortly after the controversial general elections on November 5.

Until December 25, there were seven incidents -- three in Zanzibar and four in Pemba -- and so far 59 people have been arrested in connection with the blasts -- DAR ES SALAAM (AFP)